THE North West department of public works, roads and transport owes contractors hired to clean Mahikeng about R12 million
The amount, allegedly accrued over two months, came to light after the department decided to help the Mahikeng local municipality give a face-lift to the provincial capital.
Sowetan is in possession of records showing that 14 contractors were appointed to supervise 500 youths under the expanded public works programme (EPWP) to pick up litter and remove rubble around Mahikeng.
However, the department's property management directorate is at pains motivating for payment of R11698415,43 to go through.
In a letter written to the chairperson of the bid adjudication committee, the directorate requests "regularisation of the appointment and expo facto approval of the payment of contractors".
The letter further states: "The project (cleaning Mahfikeng) is clearly an emergency. All directorates involved did not get sufficient opportunity to plan or follow internal procurement procedures. Incurring expenditure of this kind is in the best interest of the state."
Officials at the provincial treasury said the appointment of the contractors was outside the confines of procurement laws.
"Such appointments amount to improper conduct and, like the other grass cutting issue from the same department, it is very difficult to release funds for such violation of state regulations," said an official who requested anonymity.
Approached for comment, spokesperson for the department Matshube Mfoloe said: "You know very well that we launched the 500 Orange Brigade to address joblessness and you were there in person to cover that event. It was not a stock exchange where companies list and trade," he said.
He added that he did not have any information about the involvement of companies in this initiative and could not make an informed comment on the issue.
"We launched the cleaning-up campaign of Mafikeng on May 6 and contracted about 500 jobless youth from several communities to work three days a week at least for a year. It was our intervention to clear specific areas of refuse and to maintain the cleanliness of specific hot spots in Mahikeng and Mmabatho using labour intensive methods.
"The beneficiaries do not earn a salary, but stipend. It is a shock that millions are being owed to contractors whom we were not aware of," Mfoloe said.
Mahikeng 'owes contractors millions'
THE North West department of public works, roads and transport owes contractors hired to clean Mahikeng about R12 million
The amount, allegedly accrued over two months, came to light after the department decided to help the Mahikeng local municipality give a face-lift to the provincial capital.
Sowetan is in possession of records showing that 14 contractors were appointed to supervise 500 youths under the expanded public works programme (EPWP) to pick up litter and remove rubble around Mahikeng.
However, the department's property management directorate is at pains motivating for payment of R11698415,43 to go through.
In a letter written to the chairperson of the bid adjudication committee, the directorate requests "regularisation of the appointment and expo facto approval of the payment of contractors".
The letter further states: "The project (cleaning Mahfikeng) is clearly an emergency. All directorates involved did not get sufficient opportunity to plan or follow internal procurement procedures. Incurring expenditure of this kind is in the best interest of the state."
Officials at the provincial treasury said the appointment of the contractors was outside the confines of procurement laws.
"Such appointments amount to improper conduct and, like the other grass cutting issue from the same department, it is very difficult to release funds for such violation of state regulations," said an official who requested anonymity.
Approached for comment, spokesperson for the department Matshube Mfoloe said: "You know very well that we launched the 500 Orange Brigade to address joblessness and you were there in person to cover that event. It was not a stock exchange where companies list and trade," he said.
He added that he did not have any information about the involvement of companies in this initiative and could not make an informed comment on the issue.
"We launched the cleaning-up campaign of Mafikeng on May 6 and contracted about 500 jobless youth from several communities to work three days a week at least for a year. It was our intervention to clear specific areas of refuse and to maintain the cleanliness of specific hot spots in Mahikeng and Mmabatho using labour intensive methods.
"The beneficiaries do not earn a salary, but stipend. It is a shock that millions are being owed to contractors whom we were not aware of," Mfoloe said.
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